The 1990 baseball card season saw the rise of some of the game’s biggest young stars as well as the continued dominance of veterans from the 1980s. While the flagship brands like Topps and Donruss produced their standard yearly sets, Bowman took collectors by storm with rookie cards of future Hall of Famers and expensive inserts that have grown greatly in value. For collectors looking to profit from their cards three decades later, here is an in-depth overview of the most valuable 1990 Bowman cards still around today.
One of the true blue-chip rookie cards from 1990 Bowman was Ken Griffey Jr. Widely considered one of the most talented players of his generation, Griffey lived up to the hype by battering major league pitching for 22 seasons and accruing some of the game’s most awe-inspiring accolades – 13 All-Star appearances, 10 Gold Gloves, and over 600 home runs. Naturally, his rookie card from Bowman is one of the crown jewels from the set. In top PSA 10 gem mint condition, it can sell for well over $1000. Even lower graded copies in EX-MT condition still fetch $100-250 due to Griffey’s status as a true icon of the game.
While Griffey may have been the cover boy, one of the biggest revelations from 1990 was the sheer dominance displayed by the Seattle Mariners’ pitchers Randy Johnson and Erik Hanson. Both would become All-Stars within a couple years and Johnson evolved into one of the most intimidating hurlers in baseball history, amassing over 4,000 strikeouts and five Cy Young awards. Naturally, their Bowman rookies have followed suit. Johnson’s PSA 10 in particular can sell for north of $1500 with most well-kept copies demanding $200-500. Hanson, while not in Johnson’s echelon as a player, still had a solid career and his rookie brings $50-150 depending on condition.
Two brash young sluggers also broke out in 1990 to begin Hall of Fame careers – Frank Thomas and Mo Vaughn. “The Big Hurt” immediately displayed his legendary raw power and plate discipline en route to a resume that matched up with any veteran hitter, culminating in two MVP awards and a .301 career average. His PSA 10 rookie is worth $1000+ with most copies at $150-300. Mo Vaughn, while injury hampered his longevity, emerged as the 1990 AL Rookie of the Year and used his considerable strength to belt over 300 home runs. His Bowman rookie isn’t quite as pricey but still garners $75-150 for high grade copies.
Veteran superstars from the late 80s were still delivering value as well. Ozzie Smith remained a wizard with the glove at shortstop for the Cardinals and his defense alone cemented his Hall of Fame case. “The Wizard” had an affinity for making acrobatic plays look routine that surely entertained crowds for decades. High grade versions of his 1990 Bowman can sell for $300-600 due to his continued excellence and popularity. Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser was coming off a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings in 1988 and remained one of baseball’s most dependable starters throughout the early 90s. Near-mint Hershiser rookies average $100-250 still.
While 1990 Topps and Donruss sets had plenty of star power, Bowman really delivered for collectors with astounding inserts and parallels. Perhaps the true crown jewel was their “Griffey Jr. Bonus” insert, featuring a photo of Ken stealing a base. Only 10 were inserted per case, making them astoundingly rare today. Just one recently sold for over $25,000 in mint condition, proving it to be one of the most valuable non-auto baseball cards ever printed. Other coveted Bowman inserts included “Diamond Kings” parallels limited to one per case, with Hall of Famers like Nolan Ryan and Mike Schmidt commanding $1000+ each. Even standard parallels like “Gold” editionsnumbered to 100 copies continue appreciating, currently selling from $150-500 depending on condition and player.
In summarizing the treasures still available from the iconic 1990 Bowman set, it’s clear this product transformed the entire baseball card industry. Featuring rookie cards of careers still fresh in collector memories plus inserts that remain some of the rarest and most coveted ever made, it’s no surprise values hold up so strong after 30 years. For savvy investors, high grade copies of stars like Griffey, Johnson, Frank Thomas and more secure purchases should continue appreciating as the years roll on. The 1990 Bowman release truly was a watershed moment that rookie card enthusiasts remain passionate about to this day.
